National Geographic Journeys: South India: Explore Kerala (AHSNG)
Countries Visited: India
Trip Style: Information Not available
Service Level: Upgraded
All the adventure you want, with a softer landing Handpicked, character-rich accommodations with upgraded amenities services Upgraded and private transport, including flights to maximize time More included meals, activities and transfers
Physical Demands Rating: 2 - There'll be some light walking and hiking. Suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Group Size: Max 16, Avg 10.
Meals Included: 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Accommodations: Not Availaible
Highlights
Learn the true meaning of relaxation on a houseboat cruising Keralas backwaters, discover how fishermens nets can be an attraction in their own right, learn about spices with a local expert, drool over delicious South Indian cuisine with a cooking demonstration
Description
Get a taste of the Indian tropics on a compact seven-day trip to India's southwestern coast. Stroll Kerala's beaches, paddle a canoe through its backwaters along quiet canals, explore southern palaces, and savour some of the country's most incredible flavours. Venture into a part of India that's truly off the beaten path amid the cool, luxuriant greens of this tropical paradise.
Trip Style: Information Not available
Service Level: Upgraded
Physical Demands Rating: 2 - There'll be some light walking and hiking. Suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Group Size: Max 16, Avg 10.
Meals Included: 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Accommodations: Not Availaible
Highlights
Learn the true meaning of relaxation on a houseboat cruising Keralas backwaters, discover how fishermens nets can be an attraction in their own right, learn about spices with a local expert, drool over delicious South Indian cuisine with a cooking demonstration
Description
Get a taste of the Indian tropics on a compact seven-day trip to India's southwestern coast. Stroll Kerala's beaches, paddle a canoe through its backwaters along quiet canals, explore southern palaces, and savour some of the country's most incredible flavours. Venture into a part of India that's truly off the beaten path amid the cool, luxuriant greens of this tropical paradise.
Call (866) 476-7476 for more information or to book today! Mention code 13270787
- Tour Operator
- G Adventures
- Duration
- 7 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Kochi | Day 1 Kochi Arrive at any time and transfer to hotel. There are no planned activities, so check in and enjoy the city. Included Activities: Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting Transport: Private Vehicle |
| Day 2 | Kochi | Day 2 Kochi (1B) After breakfast, explore the old part of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry. Visit the Dutch Palace, which was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin King in the 16th century, the St. Francis Church (the oldest European church in India), and Santa Cruz Basilica, built by Portuguese in the 16th century. Walk through the fish market and the famous Chinese fishing net, believed to have been brought by traders from Kubla Khans court in China. In the evening, attend the popular classical dance-drama of Kerala called "Kathakali," which combines literature, music, painting, acting, and dance. Included Activities: Orientation Walk Meet with a Local Spice Expert Kathakali Dance |
| Day 3 | Kumarakom | Day 3 Kochi/Kumarakom (1B, 1D) Visit Tripunithura Hill Palace then continue to Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala. Enjoy a canoe paddle along the narrow canals and take a walking tour through the paddy fields and Chempu village. Included Activities: Tripunithura Hill Palace Visit Canoeing Walking Tour Transport: Private Vehicle (1.50-2.00 hours) |
| Day 4 | Kerala Backwaters | Day 4 Kumarakom/Kerala Backwaters (1B, 1L, 1D) This morning we travel to Allepey, a golden streak of land surrounded by rivers, lakes, lagoons and canals, where we board our private houseboat. You can sunbathe on the deck and enjoy the scenery, watching daily life take place along the water. The trip goes through a wonderful area full of water birds, palm trees, rice fields and floating water plants. Included Activities: Kerala Backwaters Houseboat Excursion Family Home Meal Experience Transport: Private Vehicle (1.00-1.50 hours) |
| Day 5 | Vypin Island | Day 5 Kerala Backwaters/Vypin Island (1B) This morning, meet with a representative of the Vembanad Wetlands Conservation Programme to learn about the ongoing work by local communities to conserve the lake and surrounding wetlands. This project was created by the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), an organization National Geographic has collaborated with on many conservation projects across India over the past decade. Continue by boat to a fish sanctuary established by traditional fishermen through the program. Meet with some of the fishermen and see firsthand how their traditional way of collecting and processing clams are models for the management of lake resources. After, continue to the beach to relax in paradise with free time to explore. Included Activities: Visit Vembanad Wetlands Conservation Programme Transport: Private Vehicle (1.50-2.00 hours) |
| Day 6 | Vypin Island | Day 6 Vypin Island (1B) Free time on Vypin Island. |
| Day 7 | Vypin Island | Day 7 Vypin Island (1B) Depart at any time. Hotel checkout is at 12:00pm. It is very easy to arange a transfer from the resort to the Cochin airport - your CEO will be happy to assist. Included Activities: Departure Day |
- Disclaimer
Local Flights: All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.
Please Note: Only 1 piece of luggage that weighs up to 15kgs will be permitted on our internal flights in India. For any extra weight the airline may charge an additional fee at the time of check-in.
Dossier Disclaimer:The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
